Supersonic vapor compression and heat rejection cycle
US7399545B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for cooling a fuel cell stack. The cooling system uses vaporization cooling of the fuel stack and supersonic vapor compression of the vaporized coolant to significantly increase the temperature and pressure of the liquid coolant flowing through a heat exchanger. By increasing the heat rejection temperature of the coolant delivered to the heat exchanger, the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger can be reduced and the mass flow rate of coolant can also be reduced. The increased fluid pressure is used to circulate the coolant through the cooling system, thereby eliminating the circulation pump associated with conventional systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.